Accident Database

Report ID#66423

2015-06-08
accident date
Unidentified Man
victim
30
victim age
Flathead, North Fork
river
1. Canadian Border to Blankenship Bridge
section
n/a
location
n/a
gage
n/a
water level
N/A
river difficulty
Equipment Trap
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
Other
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

The Missoulan 6/9/2015 By Vince Devlin KALISPELL – Tragic accident in Flathead County on Monday – a drowning while attempting to surf on the Flathead River. The name of the man who drowned, a 30-year-old from Park City, Utah, has not been released pending the notification of relatives. The drowning accident occurred on the North Fork of the Flathead River in remote country north of Polebridge. Witnesses reported the victim was attempting to “river surf” on a surfboard tied to a snag across the river. The man was attempting to climb on the surfboard when he became entangled in the rope, causing both him and the surfboard to disappear under the water. The witnesses were able to cut the rope from the snag, freeing the surfboard and the man, and pulled him from the water approximately 200 yards downriver. They initiated CPR, but attempts to revive the victim were unsuccessful. Kalispell Regional Medical Center’s ALERT helicopter was dispatched to the scene, as was Three Rivers Emergency Medical Service and Blankenship Fire Department of Columbia Falls, Glacier National Park rangers and Flathead sheriff’s deputies. The coroner’s office is also investigating this death.